Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The interagency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) targets improvements to address the most significant environmental problems within the Great Lakes Basin. As one of 16 GLRI regional working group members, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service awards competitive grants to assist organizations and communities who are taking creative approaches to improve habitats and water quality. Learn more about projects funded through Forest Service GLRI grants in this Story Map.

Through an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Forest Service anticipates up to $4.2 million in new funds will be available for tree planting and forest health improvement in the Great Lakes Basin. This funding will be competitively awarded to the best proposals received by the June 26, 2020, deadline. All applications must be prepared and submitted through GRANTS.gov; search for Grant Opportunity Number USDA-FS-2020-GLRI.

Anticipated funds will be distributed across four Program Areas described below. The minimum and maximum Federal funding requests vary depending on Program Area, with an overall range of $50,000 to $300,000. A 20% non-Federal cost share of the total program cost is required.

Award of grants is contingent on allocation of EPA funding.

Program Areas

Forest Insect and Disease Mitigation – mitigate or control invasive forest insect and disease impacts on biodiversity or water quality.

Who May Apply

State agencies, Tribal communities, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments that work within the Great Lakes Basin of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Important Dates

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 – Webinar to discuss the Request for Applications purpose, program areas, eligibility, and how to apply. View webinar recording (link is external).